Choice 评论

"Mind is a leaky organ, forever escaping its 'natural' confines and mingling shamelessly with body and with the world." This simple statement from Clark's Being There exemplifies the rich complexity as well as the simple beauty of his thesis. Clark (Washington Univ. of St. Louis) maintains that studies of the mind remain entrenched in the Cartesian tradition--a tradition that is defined by its claim that the mind and body are fundamentally different substances. As an alternative, Clark offers a refreshingly persuasive account of the mind as "embodied" and influenced by, as well as active on, its Umwelt. Clark's account is informed by data from cognitive science, neuroscience, philosophy of mind, psychology, and artificial intelligence studies and is provocative because of the rich descriptive, explanatory, and predictive powers such an interdisciplinary approach allows. If Clark is successful in defending his thesis, his book will serve as a catalyst for years to come, for it requires that researchers consider again not only the nature of human rationality but also the very methods by which we have studied human nature. Highly recommended. Helpful endnotes; excellent bibliography. Upper-division undergraduate through professional. H. Storl; Augustana College (IL)